Leading the way: Shepparton United veteran Rehan Bari struck a classy 55 to help lead his team to an upset win over Nagambie.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
According to stand-in captain Sam Nash Shepparton United produced its best win of the past five years on Saturday, as it upset top contender Nagambie at its temporary Central Park Recreation Reserve home.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Producing the complete team performance it had been seeking, United set the foundation for the victory with the bat as veteran Rehan Bari’s patient 55 led it to an imposing first innings total of 8-187.
It then backed up its success with the bat with a clinical bowling display, as all five bowlers added to the wicket tally to dismiss star-studded Nagambie for 107.
Shepparton United’s second win of the 2022-23 Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield campaign, Nash said it was pleasing to see his side play up to its potential.
Steaming in: Nagambie skipper Mark Nolan.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 2 of 7
Finding the middle: United’s Steven Tate.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 3 of 7
Eye on the ball: Nagambie’s Luke Nolan.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 4 of 7
Bringing the heat: Nagambie’s Jono Moore.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 5 of 7
Talking it over: Shepparton United pair Steven Tate and Rehan Bari.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 6 of 7
Nice shades: Nagambie’s James Auld.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 7 of 7
Whipping it in: Nagambie’s Zac Winter-Irving.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“I was really proud of the win we had yesterday,” Nash said.
“It was just a good all round performance which was something I think we have probably struggled with over the past month or so, stringing our batting and bowling together in the same game.
“Yesterday showed we can match it with the top sides which is a very promising sign moving into the next portion of the season.”
Winning the toss and batting first, United found itself in all sorts of trouble early as openers Connor and Tyler Green departed within the first two overs to have it reeling at 2-5.
Bringing the experience of Bari to the crease, he went about building the recovery effort beautifully, as he absorbed the pressure of the Nagambie attack and took the opportunity to score when they presented.
Initially partnered by Steven Tate (20), the pair added 38 for the third wicket before star all-rounder Mahesh Kodamullage (34) came to the crease and played with confidence.
Proving the perfect foil for Bari, the duo put on a 74-run stand to swing the game in United’s favour.
“When (Rehan) came in we were obviously under the pump, so for him to play a really patient and classy innings it was huge for us,” Nash said.
“He is a pretty reliable person to have in the team and we always can rely on him to do the job, and having him set allowed the rest of the team to bat around him with confidence.
“Watching Rehan go about his business like that was very exciting cricket to watch.”
The Lakers would wrestle back some control by dismissing the two set batters in quick time and skipper Mark Nolan taking a trio of wickets to finish with figures of 4-31.
But Harwinder Singh quickly picked up the slack, with his 37 off 43 balls helping lift the home team to a healthy total of 8-187.
Despite having the runs on the board, United was well aware the job was only half done as it returned to the field for the second innings.
Led by a band of young quicks Joe Hammond (2-25) and Hamish McGregor (2-22) continued on from the good work of the batters, taking key wickets to have the Lakers reeling at 4-38.
The spin of Kodamullage (3-18) and Bari (2-15) then took over through the middle portion of the innings, as the pair once again combined beautifully to take five wickets and bowl Nagambie out for 107.
“It was a really solid, well-rounded bowling performance, we knew we had to take wickets early to counter their class batters and Joe Hammond and Hamish McGregor did an outstanding job of that,” Nash said.
“Those two boys really set the platform and then Rehan and Mahesh came on and cleaned up the tail which was really good.”
A landmark win for this young United side, Nash said the result would give it a lot of confidence as it looks to make a finals push from ninth spot after Christmas.
“This was a super important win for us, leading into Christmas we set out a goal of winning two of our last three games and, while we only got one, beating a team like Nagambie just gives us so much confidence,” he said.
“This win really just shows we are on the right path and able to contend against the best, this would absolutely be up there with one of the better wins we’ve had over the past few years.”
THE GAME
Shepparton United 8-187 (Rehan Bari 55, Harwinder Singh 37 not out, Mahesh Kodamullage 34, Mark Nolan 4-31) d Nagambie 107 (Tyrone Muir 22, Mahesh Kodamullage 3-18, Joe Hammond 2-15)
STAR PLAYER
Rehan Bari (Shepparton United): The Shepparton United veteran showed his class with a vital half-century to steer his team to a match-winning total. Coming in with his team under the pump, Bari played with patience and poise to swing the match in United’s favour. He then capped his day with two important wickets, further making his case for man of match honours.
